Gratis PC! i9-10850K vs i7-12700T
Gratis PC! i9-10850K vs i7-12700T
My business works with various platforms. Our IT guy introduced me to an Optiplex7000 equipped with an i7-12700T (perfect specs) and at home I own an i9-10850K. Assuming the chipsets are still functional, should I invest in a new motherboard, add RAM, and transform the i7-12700T into my primary workstation while using the i9-10850K for personal tasks like gaming and streaming? (A CPU comparison document is included) Current setup: Main PC CPU – Intel Core i9-10850K @ 3.6 GHz, 10 cores; Cooler – Corsair H100i v2; Motherboard – Asus ROG STRIX Z590-E; RAM – G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB; Storage – Samsung 970 Evo 250 GB; GPU – RTX 4060 Ti; I plan to upgrade parts if needed. (PDF attached) Basic gaming and media consumption on this system.)
12700T probably matches a 10850k for gaming performance, making it a bit uncertain. I wouldn't invest heavily in an LGA 1700 just because the CPU is available. A home theater PC with that SFF Dell case works well. You could use an iGPU or add an RTX 3050 6GB for extra boosts (depending on the specific form factor). It's often confusing to figure out the right setup.
Convert the 12700T into a HTPC or server setup—perfect performance. The minimal power setting on a T-sku will negatively affect gaming.
Technical details Table 1: Specifications of Dell OptiPlex Micro Plus 7010. Key measurements include Height - 182 mm (7.17 in.), Width - 36 mm (1.42 in.), Depth - 178 mm (7.01 in.). Weight ranges from a minimum of 1.07 kg (2.36 lb) to a maximum of 1.31 kg (2.89 lb). Please note that the actual weight may vary based on the chosen configuration and manufacturing differences. The chipset is Intel Q670, featuring an Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9 processor, PCIe bus support up to Gen4, and memory slots for DDR5. RAM options include two SODIMM slots with speeds up to 4800 MHz. Memory capacity supports from 8 GB to 64 GB. Operating systems compatible are Windows 11 Home, 64-bit Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 11 Pro downgrade (Windows 10 image). Supported editions include Windows 11 Pro National Education, Windows 11 CMIT Government Edition, Ubuntu Linux 22.04, Windows 10 Pro, and 64-bit versions for China. Ports available consist of one RJ-45 Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Mbps), multiple USB ports including a USB 3.2 Gen 2 with PowerShare, a Type-C port for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, two rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with Smart Power On, audio outputs such as a universal jack and line-out/line-in, video output via HDMI 2.1/DisplayPort 1.4a, three DisplayPort 1.4a ports, an I/O port, a media-card reader, a power adapter port, a Kensington lock slot, and a padlock ring. The device lacks PCIe and does not include a good power supply; it runs on a 130W power brick.
You were anticipating some problems with the T-sku, though the ARC pages didn’t confirm that. The real-world performance matches expectations, letting you take advantage of PCI Gen 5 and improved USB 3.2 2x2. Both design concepts are clearly presented at the top.
Userbenchmark PC Build Comparison Baseline Bench: Game 134%, Desk 110%, Work 145% CPU: Intel Core i7-12700 GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060 $293 SSD: Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $397 HDD: WD Black 6TB (2016) $249 RAM: G.SKILL TZ/RJ/FL DDR5 6000 C32 2x16GB $90 MBD: Gigabyte GA-Z790 UD AC Total: $1,029 Alternative Bench: Game 123%, Desk 103%, Work 131% CPU: Intel Core i9-10850K $249 GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060 $293 SSD: Samsung 970 Evo Plus NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB $75 HDD: WD Black 6TB (2016) $249 RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3600 C17 2x8GB $86 MBD: Asus ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI Total: $952
These components work well for home theater setups because the integrated GPU handles decoding efficiently. Intel has historically had an edge in this area. They tend to run quietly since the hardware limits power draw, allowing the CPU to operate at higher temperatures—similar to Apple’s approach on their devices. A potential issue is compatibility with DIY motherboards that only support the 12700T, as it’s an OEM-only CPU. This reinforces the decision to use this setup for home theater. My current rig uses an Asrock Deskmeet B660 paired with a 12100F and RTX 3050 (6GB). It fully satisfies my needs, and I’m open to upgrading the CPU later if necessary, though I’m unlikely to change it now. My priority is running Windows rather than a smart TV interface, as I prefer the familiar feel of a wireless keyboard and trackpad setup I’ve used for years.
PCIE Gen 5 seems irrelevant; nothing worth using it for. Gen 4 is mostly wasted 95% of the time. Gen 3 is already fast enough, and moving up offers minimal improvement. USB 3.2x2 is overkill—what you're asking for needs 20gbps, which is unrealistic. UBM is essentially useless. Don't let anyone mislead you. (That update only marginally boosts performance, not much.) Most boards now support T-Sku chips, so it's not as surprising as it seems.
I considered using it for my PC VR setup. Most of the components I added were simple to source. The main goal is to have another computer that can handle multimedia in my living room and also support a tethered connection for my headset.